The postejaculatory refractory period: a neurophysiological study in the human male.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate changes in the penile sensory threshold, and the variables of cortical somatosensory evoked potential and sacral evoked response tests in the early postejaculatory period in the human male.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty healthy volunteers (mean age 25.3 years, range 17-32) were evaluated before and after ejaculation for penile sensory threshold values, and the variables of sacral evoked response and cortical somatosensory evoked potential tests.

RESULTS

Three subjects were excluded from the statistical analyses because there were significant differences among the repeated tests. In the remaining 17 subjects the penile sensory threshold was significantly greater in the postejaculatory period (P < 0.05). There were no significant changes in the other variables of both the sacral evoked response and cortical somatosensory evoked potential tests after ejaculation (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The postejaculatory refractory period in the human male is accompanied by a greater penile sensory threshold but with no change in the values of the sacral evoked response and cortical somatosensory evoked potential.